Woodstock-Oxford Community Table Feeds the Homeless Every Saturday
It’s 11:30 in the morning and a line of people, homeless or “working poor” file in front of tables being setup by volunteers, Rotarians and others, behind the Church of the Epiphany, downtown Woodstock Ontario, Canada.Robertson (not his real name), about thirty something, is one of the people in line, looking at us in anticipation. His face and limbs are ravaged by drug use and exposure to the elements. He is homeless. It’s an unusually hot day in South Western Ontario. He is hungry and thirsty.
I walk down the line with a case of water bottles.
-Sir, some water for you ?
-Madam, care for a bottle of water ? Have two or three if you like.
The first time I did that, people were startled at the sound of someone treating them with respect and addressing them politely. This is not what they are used to on the street. Sometimes I see looks of gratitude, not just for the water, but for treating them like human beings. Some have tears on their eyes. There are tears in my eyes too.
Once the meal is ready and we can start serving, I take my position behind the tables, along with the rest of the volunteers. Today, my job at is to serve chilli and hot dogs. Two other volunteers and myself have an assembly line going. One opens the take-out boxes, another scoops chilli into each one, a third adds a couple of sausages and a bun and closes the container. We stack them up on the table and the people walk past on the other side and each are given one. Sometimes they ask for a second or a third. We never refuse them.
They also pick up as many groceries as they can carry. Shopping bags are also provided free. We all greet the people and treat them as if they are paying customers in a store. But actually, everything is free.
I know this lady. She is very shy. I know she has children at home. Without waiting for her to ask, I reach and put five servings of chilli and sausages in her bag. She looks up to me, grateful for sparing her the embarrassment of having to ask. She whispers “thank you” and walks away.
The volunteers, many of them Rotarians, but also many non Rotarians, come from all walks of life. They have diverse beliefs and lifestyles. Some, like myself, are evangelical Christians. Others are practicing Muslims, men and women with broad smiles and incredible compassion in their hearts. Yet others, though not professing any particular faith, are shining examples of human decency and love for their fellow men and women.Their hearts are in the right place.The Rotary Community Table would not have been possible without them, these many friends of Rotary who dutifully show up Saturday after Saturday and often during the week to help with preparations. Woodstock Oxford Rotary club is deeply indebted to them.
The Table, started about 5 years ago, is run by Woodstock Oxford Rotary club (WOR).The city of Woodstock, formerly a sleepy, retirement community of about 25,000, has been experiencing rapid growth for the past few years, with a major automotive plant and many other manufacturing facilities moving in and providing jobs and new income to the local economy. Many new neighbourhoods have been built and the population has more than doubled. Unfortunately, with growth and increased population often come increased prices for houses and rents, resulting in some people being priced out of the housing market and ending up in a vicious circle of homelessness, drug addiction and petty crime.
By now, the people that line up every Saturday for free groceries and a hot meal know us by name. We know most of them as well and every Saturday we see some new faces. Sometimes we have a chance to talk to them after all serving is done. It’s not unusual for one or another to approach us and ask if we can help with this or that. Sometimes, they just need to talk, to know that someone cares enough to listen. More than a few times I see the look of despair change to a glimmer of hope at the realization that someone cares for them and sees them as human beings.
Robertson looks at me, smiles as I hand him a bottle of water. How is it going, I ask. He smiles. He is penniless, he says, and has not slept all night. That’s the reality of living on the street. All his worldly possessions are in the shopping cart in front of him. But he smokes. One time, I asked him: How did you get like that ?He looked me in the eyes, as if to prepare me for what he was going to say .How does one get like that ? he said .For a moment, I thought I saw the real Robertson behind the “I am alright” facade .I pray for you, I said. He walked up to me and gave me a hug.
Before getting involved with the Community Table, I had a deep fear of homeless people and drug addicts. I considered them inherently dirty and violent. As much as I felt sorry for them, I always had a tendency to get on the other side of the street when crossing paths with them. Also, I was grossed out at the sight of physical deformities and dirty clothes. Touching one of them would have been unthinkable. Now, a hug from this street person was like a touch from Heaven. These people are my brothers and sisters.
The Community Table, still ran by the Woodstock Oxford Rotary club, has now joined hands with a local church, First United on Dundas Street, which has a large basement complete with a commercial kitchen, tables and chairs, washrooms, and many volunteers of their own to complement our team. Some of the nicest, kind-hearted people you can ever meet.
Several more local churches have come forward and they now take turns providing the hot meals every Saturday. One of them is our former Host, the Church of the Epiphany .Harvest Hands is an organization dedicated to ending hunger and is well worth supporting. Anyone interested in making a financial contribution and/or volunteering, can contact Amy Collins at 1-226-236-7008.Also, visit their website: https://harvesthands.ca/
Back in Woodstock, at the Community Table, we always have more food and groceries than we need, and no one walks away hungry. Yet, nothing is thrown out. Another organization picks up what is left every Saturday and supplies it to the needy at their own Tables during weekdays.
So, why am I doing this ?Well, to help people in need, right? Yes, of course .But mainly to heal my own heart, to be where my faith says I should be and to say thanks for my health, my loved ones and for all the endless blessings, the free gifts from God’s love I enjoy in my own life every day.
By Mike Katsirdakis ,Submitted by Peter Stam
Woodstock Oxford Rotary